2013 College Football Hall of Fame Ballot Released

Seventy-seven players and five coaches vie for college football’s ultimate honor; Announcement of the 2013 FBS Hall of Fame Class to be made live May 7 from Times Square in New York City.

DALLAS, March 5, 2013 – The National Football Foundation (NFF) announced today the names of 77 players and five coaches who comprise the 2013 Football Bowl Subdivision Ballot for induction into the College Football Hall of Fame.

“Having a ballot and a voice in the selection of the inductees is one of the most cherished NFF member benefits,” said NFF Chairman Archie Manning, a 1989 Hall of Fame inductee from Ole Miss. “There is no group more knowledgeable or passionate about college football than our membership, and the tradition of the ballot helps us engage them in the lofty responsibility of selecting those who have reached the pinnacle of achievement in our sport.”

The ballot was mailed this week to the more than 12,000 NFF members and current Hall of Famers whose votes will be tabulated and submitted to the NFF’s Honors Court, which deliberates and selects the class. Chaired by Gene Corrigan, a former ACC Commissioner and NCAA president, the 14-member NFF Honors Court includes an elite and geographically diverse pool of athletics directors, conference commissioners, Hall of Famers and members of the media.

“It’s an enormous honor to just be on the ballot when you think that more than 4.92 million people have played college football,” said NFF President & CEO Steven J. Hatchell. “The Hall’s requirement of being a First-Team All-American creates a much smaller pool of only 1,500 individuals who are even eligible to be on the ballot, so being in today’s group of 77 names means an individual is truly among the greatest to ever have played the game, and we are proud to announce their names today.”

The FBS Hall of Fame Class will be announced live in New York City during a noon press conference on May 7 from the NASDAQ OMX Market Site and inducted at the 56th NFF Annual Awards Dinner December 10, 2013 at the landmark Waldorf=Astoria Hotel in New York City.

To be eligible for the ballot, players must have been named a First Team All-America by a major/national selector as recognized and utilized by the NCAA for their consensus All-America teams; played their last year of intercollegiate football at least ten years prior; played within the last 50 years and cannot be currently playing professional football. Coaches must have coached a minimum of 10 years and 100 games as a head coach; won at least 60% of their games; and be retired from coaching for at least three years. If a coach is retired and over the age of 70, there is no waiting period. If he is over the age of 75, he is eligible as an active coach. In both cases, the candidate’s post-football record as a citizen may also be weighed.

Once nominated for consideration, all player candidates are submitted to one of eight District Screening Committees, depending on their school’s geographic location, which conducts a vote to determine who will appear on the ballot and represent their respective districts. Each year, approximately 15 candidates, who are not selected for the Hall of Fame, will be named automatic holdovers and will bypass the district screening process and automatically appear on the ballot the following year. Additionally, the Veterans Committee may make recommendations to Honors Court for exceptions that allow for the induction of players who played more than 50 years ago.

Of the 4.92 million individuals who have played college football since Princeton first battled Rutgers on November 6, 1869, only 918 players have earned induction into the College Football Hall of Fame, or less than .0002 percent of those who have played the game during the past 144 years. From the coaching ranks, 200 individuals have achieved Hall of Fame distinction.

Today’s ballot, which was mailed to NFF members, also contains the 92 players and 27 coaches for the divisional ranks who are up for Hall of Fame consideration this year. The divisional class will be announced May 16 via a national press release from Dallas, Texas.

The 2013 Divisional College Football Hall of Fame Class will be inducted and enshrined simultaneously this summer in Atlanta, Ga., at the NFF Annual Enshrinement Festival. They will be joined during the festival by the 2012 Football Bowl Subdivision Hall of Fame Class, which was inducted this past December in New York City.

If you would like to become a member and receive a voting sheet for this year’s ballot, please contact NFF Director of Membership Ron Dilatush at rdilatush@footballfoundation.com.

Ballots without valid membership numbers will be invalidated.

– A list of candidates and capsule bios are provided on the following pages. –

2013 PLAYER CANDIDATE CAPSULE BIOS

Trev Alberts, Nebraska-Linebacker-Named unanimous First Team All-America, BIG-8 Defensive Player of the Year and Academic All-America in 1993…Recipient of the 1993 Butkus Award and two-time First Team All-Conference pick…NFF National Scholar-Athlete in 1993.

Erick Anderson, Michigan-Linebacker-1991 Butkus Award winner who led Wolverines to four bowl games and top 10 finishes all four seasons of career… 1991 Big Ten Co-Defensive Player of the Year and only player in UM history to lead team in tackles all four seasons.
Bob Berry, Oregon-Quarterback-Guided the Ducks to three consecutive winning seasons… First Oregon quarterback to surpass 1,000 yards in two different seasons…16 TD passes in 1963 and 39 career touchdowns passes were school records for 20 years.
Eric Bieniemy, Colorado-Running Back-Played in two national championships, leading Buffs to 1990 national title…Unanimous First Team All-America and finished third in 1990 Heisman voting… Two-time All-Big Eight pick, still holding eight CU records.

Brian Bosworth, Oklahoma-Linebacker-Two-time consensus First Team All-America pick (1985-86)…Set school record for tackles in a game (22) and named Butkus Award winner in 1985 and ’86…Led Sooners to three consecutive Orange Bowls and ’85 national championship.
Jerome Brown, Miami (Fla.)-Defensive Tackle-1986 Unanimous First Team All-American and finalist for both the Outland and Lombardi trophies as senior…Helped Canes to four consecutive New Year’s Day bowl games…Ranks 10th in school history with 21 career sacks.
Ted Brown, North Carolina State-Tailback-1978 consensus First Team All-America, helping NC State to three bowl berths… Only four-year First Team All-ACC pick in league history… Led team in rushing four-straight years and still holds five school records.
Bob Breunig, Arizona State-Linebacker-Named 1974 First Team All-America selection…Led ASU to 1972 WAC title and to consecutive Fiesta Bowl wins in 1972 and ’73… Three-time All-WAC pick who ranks third all-time in career solo tackles (206) and fifth in career tackles (353) at ASU.
Tedy Bruschi, Arizona-Defensive End-Two-time First Team All-America (consensus-‘94, unanimous-’95)…Tied the NCAA career record with 52 sacks…1995 Pac-10 Defensive Player of the Year and three-time First Team All-Pac-10 selection…Led Arizona to three bowls.
Brandon Burlsworth, Arkansas-Offensive Guard-1998 First Team All-America and First Team All-SEC selection…Helped Arkansas to two postseason berths and to SEC Western Division titles in 1995 and ’98…Former walk-on who later started 34 consecutive games.
Larry Burton, Purdue-Split End-Named Outstanding College Athlete of America in 1974 and a First Team All-Big Ten selection…Led the team in receiving in both 1973 and 1974… Named team captain and team MVP in 1974.
Dave Butz, Purdue-Defensive Tackle-1972 consensus First Team All-America… Finalist for the Lombardi Award in 1972 and named First Team All-Conference…Named Defensive MVP of the Senior Bowl.
Mark Carrier, Southern California-Safety-Two-time First Team All-America (1988-89) – unanimous in 1989… 1989 Jim Thorpe Award winner… Two-time First Team All-Conference selection… Led the Pac-10 in interceptions in 1989 with seven.
Marco Coleman, Georgia Tech-Linebacker-1991 First Team All-America pick…Two-time First Team All-ACC, leading Jackets to the national championship and an 11-0-1 record in 1990…28 career sacks ranks 12th all-time in ACC history.
Tom Cousineau, Ohio State-Linebacker-Two-time consensus First Team All-American and three-time All-Big Ten performer… Recorded 572 career tackles, ranking second all-time in OSU history… Held nine school records at career’s end, still holding six.
Bob Crable, Notre Dame-Linebacker-Two-time consensus First Team All-America in 1980 and 1981… Set ND records for most career tackles (521), most tackles in a season (187), most tackles in a game (26)… Played in 1981 Hula Bowl.
Eric Crouch, Nebraska-Quarterback-2001 Heisman, Walter Camp, and Davey O’Brien Award winner who led Huskers to 2001 national title game…Holds NCAA record for career rushing TDs by a quarterback (59)…Led team to 42-9 record and four bowl berths.
Randall Cunningham, Nevada-Las Vegas-Punter-Named First Team All-America as a punter in 1983 and Second Team All-America as a punter and Honorable Mention as a quarterback in 1984…Led UNLV to their first-ever Bowl game…Broke 18 UNLV records.
Ron Dayne, Wisconsin-Running Back-All-time leading rusher in FBS history who won the 1999 Heisman Trophy, Walter Camp, Maxwell and Doak Walker awards…Three-time First Team All-American…First player in college history to rush for more than 7,000 yards in career.
Eric Dickerson, SMU-Running Back-Named unanimous First Team All-America and finished third in the Heisman Trophy voting in 1982…Twice named SWC Player of the Year, he holds 14 SMU records including career rushing yards (4,450).
John Didion, Oregon State-Center-Two-time All-American, earning unanimous First Team honors in 1968… Member of Oregon State team known as the “Giant Killers”… 1968 First Team All-Pac-8 selection who helped team finish in the AP Top 20 all three years of career.
D.J. Dozier, Penn State-Running Back– Named 1986 consensus First Team All-America and led PSU to perfect 12-0 season and national championship (1986)… Finished eighth in 1986 Heisman voting… First PSU back to lead the team in rushing for four consecutive seasons.
Jumbo Elliott, Michigan-Offensive Tackle- Two-time First Team All-American (consensus-’87)… Two-time All-Big Ten First Team selection and member of 1986 Big Ten Co-Champions…Paved the way for Jamie Morris, who had three-straight 1,000-yard seasons.
Tony Franklin, Texas A&M-Plackekicker-Two-time First Team All-America (1976-consensus, ’78)…Led A&M to four bowl appearances…Set seven NCAA records, including most 50 yards-plus field goals made (15) and most points scored by a kicker in a career (291).
Tommie Frazier, Nebraska-Quarterback-1995 consensus First Team All-America and Johnny Unitas award winner… 1995 Heisman trophy runner-up and Big Eight Offensive Player of the Year… Led Huskers to back-to-back perfect national championship seasons in 1994 and ’95.
William Fuller, North Carolina-Defensive Tackle-Two-time First Team All-American, earning consensus honors in 1983… Holds school record with 57 career TFL and broke Lawrence Taylor’s season record with 22 TFL in 1981…Three-time First Team All-ACC pick.
Kirk Gibson, Michigan State-Wide Receiver-Named First Team All-America, led Big Ten in receiving in league play and helped the Spartans to a Big Ten Co-Championship and a No.12 national ranking in 1978…Played MLB for 17 seasons.
Charlie Gogolak, Princeton-Placekicker-1965 First Team All-American…Set seven NCAA records and led Princeton to an 8-1 season (1965)… Two-time First Team All-Ivy…Holds four school records… Revolutionized the kicking game utilizing the soccer-style technique.
Jerry Gray, Texas-Defensive Back- Two-time First Team All-American (consensus-’83, unanimous-’84)… Two-time SWC Player of the Year… Member of 1983 SWC championship team and four bowl teams…297 career tackles, 16 career interceptions, 20 pass breakups.
Al Harris, Arizona State-Defensive End-Named unanimous First Team All-America and Lombardi Award and Outland Trophy finalist in 1978…Named First Team All-Conference, he set an ASU record with 19 sacks in 1978.
Leotis Harris, Arkansas-Offensive Guard-1977 consensus First Team All-America who led Razorbacks to wins in the 1976 Cotton Bowl and ’78 Orange Bowl… First-ever African-American All-American player at Arkansas…Led Arkansas to 1975 SWC Co-Championship.
Randy Hughes, Oklahoma-Defensive Back-Member of1974 national championship team and three Big Eight championship teams… Tied school record for pass breakups in a season (12) and finished fourth on OU’s career interceptions list (14)…1974 NFF National Scholar-Athlete.
Raghib Ismail, Notre Dame-Wide Receiver-Two-time First Team All-American earning consensus honors in 1989 and unanimous laurels in 1990…Walter Camp Player of the Year and Heisman Trophy runner-up in 1990…Led ND to national championship at the Fiesta Bowl and two Orange Bowls.
Dick Jauron, Yale-Running Back-Named First Team All-America in 1972…A three-time First Team All-Conference selection, he received the Asa S. Bushnell Cup as the Ivy League’s Player of the Year…Graduated as Yale’s career rushing leader with 2,947 yards.
Ernie Jennings, Air Force-Wide Receiver-1970 consensus First Team All-American, finishing eighth in 1970 Heisman Trophy voting…Led Air Force to 1971 Sugar Bowl berth… Holds every single-season and career receiving record at Air Force.
Greg Lewis, Washington-Running Back-1990 First Team All-America and Doak Walker award winner… Named Pac-10 Offensive Player of the Year in 1990, leading Huskies to 1990 conference title… Finished seventh in 1990 Heisman voting and recorded 15, 100-yard games.
Jess Lewis, Oregon State-Defensive Tackle-Named First Team All-America in 1967…Played in the College All-Star Game, East-West Shrine Game and Coaches All-America Bowl in 1970…Two-time First Team All-Conference selection (1967, 1969).
Robert Lytle, Michigan-Running Back-Named consensus All-America in 1976…Finished third in the Heisman Trophy voting… Named Big Ten MVP in 1976 and led UM to two conference championships.
Bobby Majors, Tennessee-Defensive Back-1971 unanimous First Team All-America… Led Vols to wins in 1971 Sugar Bowl and 1972 Liberty Bowl… Holds school records for punt returns in a career (117 for 1163 yards, 4 TDs) and season (42 for 457 yards, 2 TDs).
Buddy McClinton, Auburn-Defensive Back-Three-time All-American who earned consensus First Team honors in 1969… Auburn’s all-time leader in interceptions (18) and holds record for interceptions in a season (9 in 1969)… Set SEC career interception record (18).
Duncan McColl, Stanford-Defensive End-1976 First Team All-America…Two-time First Team All-Pac-8…Holds Stanford records for most QB sacks in season (17) and most TFL in season (26)…1976 NFF National Scholar-Athlete.
Cade McNown, UCLA-Quarterback-1998 Consensus First Team All-American and Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award recipient…1998 Pac-10 Co-Offensive Player of the Year who led UCLA to consecutive Pac-10 titles in 1997 (shared) and 1998…Holds numerous school records.
Paul Naumoff, Tennessee-Linebacker-Named First Team All-America and All-Conference in 1966…Named team MVP in 1966…Played in the College All-Star Game and Senior Bowl in 1967.
Darrin Nelson, Stanford-1981 First Team All-American who was the first player in NCAA history to rush for over 1,000 yards and catch more than 50 passes in one season…Finished career as NCAA’s all-time leader in all-purpose yardage (6,885)… Four-time All-Pac-10 pick.
Ken Norton, Jr., UCLA-Linebacker-1987 First Team All-America, leading Bruins to four consecutive bowl wins… Member of the 1985 conference championship team… Led team in tackles in 1986 (106) and in 1987 (125) and ranks sixth in school history with 339 career tackles.
Tom Nowatzke, Indiana-Fullback-Named First Team All-America in 1964…A two-time All-Conference selection (1963-64), he led the Big Ten in rushing in 1963…Played in the East/West Shrine Game, Senior Bowl and Coaches All-American Game.
Philip Olsen, Utah State-Defensive End-1969 consensus First Team All-America…1969 team captain and Utah State Athlete of the Year…Selected to play in the East-West Shrine Game and the Hula Bowl…Brother of College Football Hall of Famer Merlin Olsen.
Jim Otis, Ohio State-Fullback-Named consensus First Team All-America in 1969…Member of the 1968 National Championship team…Named First Team All-Big Ten conference in 1969 and led the Buckeyes to two conference titles…Led the team in rushing three times.
Orlando Pace, Ohio State-Offensive Tackle-Two-time unanimous First Team All-American and first player in history to win Lombardi Trophy twice…1996 Outland Trophy winner who led Buckeyes to share of 1996 Big Ten title… Did not allow a sack during his last two seasons.
Paul Palmer, Temple-Running Back-1986 unanimous First Team All-America…Led the nation in rushing yards (1,866), rushing yards per game (169.6) and all-purpose yards (2,633) in 1986… Set 23 school records and was named ECAC Player of the Year in 1986.
Anthony Poindexter, Virginia-Defensive Back-Two-time First Team All-America, earning consensus honors in 1998… Three-time All-ACC pick and 1998 ACC Defensive Player of the Year…Holds five school records and finished career with 342 tackles and 12 interceptions.
Antwaan Randle El, Indiana-Quarterback-2001 First Team Consensus All-American…First player in FBS history to pass for 6,000 yards and rush for 3,000 yards in career…Rushed for more yards than any QB in FBS history upon conclusion of career.
Ron Rivera, California-Linebacker-1983 consensus First Team All-America…Lombardi Award finalist in 1983 and named East-West Shrine Game Most Valuable Player…Selected as Pac-10 Co-Defensive Player of the Year in 1983…Led team in tackles from 1981-83.
Willie Roaf, Louisiana Tech-Offensive Lineman-1992 consensus First Team All-America and finalist for Outland Trophy… Led team to 1990 Independence Bowl berth and two-time All-South Independent selection.
Mike Ruth, Boston College-Nose Guard-1985 consensus First Team All-America and Outland Trophy winner…Three-time All-East and All-ECAC selection…Member of three bowl teams and recorded 344 career tackles, including 29 sacks.
Lucius Sanford, Georgia Tech-Linebacker-Named First Team All-America in 1977…A three-time First Team All-Conference selection, he led Georgia Tech in tackles in 1975 (121) and 1976 (117)…Named to the Georgia Tech Hall of Fame and the school’s All-Time Team in 1991.
Sterling Sharpe, South Carolina-Wide Receiver-1987 First Team All-America…Two-time First Team All-Conference…Set nearly every school receiving record by career’s end, including career receptions (169), single-season receiving yards (1,106) and career receiving yards (2,497).
Rod Shoate, Oklahoma-Linebacker-1973 consensus and 1974 unanimous First Team All-America…Finished seventh in the 1974 Heisman Trophy voting and twice named Big Eight Defensive Player of the Year…Ranks third in school history with 420 career tackles.
Percy Snow, Michigan State-Linebacker-1989 unanimous First Team All-America and 1989 Butkus Award winner… Led MSU to 1987 Big Ten title and Rose Bowl win… Ranks second all-time in career tackles (473).
Bob Stein, Minnesota-Defensive End-1967 First Team All-American… Two-time First Team All-Big Ten selection who led Gophers to co-share of the 1967 Big Ten title…1969 NFF National Scholar-Athlete.
Art Still, Kentucky-Defensive End-1977 Unanimous First Team All-American… Two-time First Team All-SEC performer who led Cats to 1976 SEC Championship…1977 SEC Defensive Player of the Year who set school record for 22 TFL in 1977 (still standing).
Matt Stinchcomb, Georgia-Offensive Tackle-Two-time First Team All-America selection (consensus-’98)…Two-time First Team All-SEC and 1998 recipient of Jacobs Blocking Trophy…1998 NFF William V. Campbell Trophy recipient and NFF National Scholar-Athlete.
Aaron Taylor, Notre Dame-Offensive Tackle-Two-time First Team All-American, earning consensus honors in ‘92 and unanimous in ’93… 1993 Lombardi Award winner and named College Interior Lineman of the Year by Touchdown Club of Columbus (Ohio)…Led Irish to four bowl games.
Vinny Testaverde, Miami (Fla.)-Quarterback-Winner of 1986 Heisman, Walter Camp, Maxwell Award, and Davey O’Brien…Led Canes to three bowl berths, including 1987 Fiesta Bowl to determine national championship… Finished career with 6,058 passing yards and 48 TD passes.
Derrick Thomas, Alabama-Linebacker-1988 unanimous First Team All-America and Butkus award winner… Led Tide to four consecutive bowl berths, earning 1988 SEC Defensive Player of the Year… Set SEC record for sacks in a season (27) and finished career with 74 TFL.
Zach Thomas, Texas Tech-Linebacker-Two-time First Team All-American, earning unanimous honors in 1995…Two-time Consensus SWC Defensive Player of the Year (1993, 94) who led Red Raiders to 1994 SWC title…Ranks fifth all-time at Tech with 390 career tackles.
Andre Tippett, Iowa-Defensive End-1981 Consensus First Team All-American who led Hawkeyes to 1982 Rose Bowl berth…Two-time First Team All-Big Ten performer, leading Iowa to 1981 Big Ten championship…Holds Iowa record for TFL yardage (153 yards/20 TFL).
LaDainian Tomlinson, TCU-Tailback-2000 Unanimous First Team All-American and 2000 Doak Walker Award winner…1999 WAC Offensive Player of the Year who led TCU to consecutive co-shares of WAC title… Holds 15 school records and is TCU’s all-time leading rusher.
Don Trull, Baylor-Quarterback-Named consensus First Team All-America and led the nation with 22 touchdowns in 1963…Named First Team All-Conference, he set a school record with 174 completions in 1963…Twice named First Team Academic All-America.
Jackie Walker, Tennessee-Linebacker-1970 and ’71 First Team All-American…Set NCAA record for career interceptions returned for TD by a linebacker (5)… Two-time First Team All-SEC selection who helped Vols to 1969 SEC Championship.
Wesley Walls, Mississippi-Tight End-1988 First Team All-America and First Team All-SEC selection…Played as a two-way player his senior season (DE-TE)…Tallied 36 receptions for 426 yards and three touchdowns in one season at tight end…1988 NFF National Scholar-Athlete.
Lorenzo White, Michigan State-Running Back-Two-time First Team All-America, earning unanimous (’85) and consensus (’87) honors…Led State to 1987 Big Ten title and Rose Bowl win…Led nation in rushing (1985), first MSU player to lead team in rushing four-straight seasons.
Clarence Williams, Washington State-Running Back-Named First Team All-America and All-Conference in 1964…Twice led the Cougars in rushing, scoring and kickoff returns…Played in the Hula Bowl, East-West Shrine and All-West Coast All-Star Games in 1964.
Steve Wisniewski, Penn State-Offensive Guard-1988 First Team All-America…Member of 1986 12-0 national championship team…Helped Blair Thomas rush for 1,414 yards and 11 touchdowns in 1987 and D.J. Dozier attain First Team All-America honors in 1986.

Scott Woerner, Georgia-Defensive Back-Named First Team All-America, All-Conference and team Most Valuable Back in 1980…Twice named Georgia’s Outstanding Special Teams Player of the Year (1977, 1980)…Led team to the 1980 National Championship.
Danny Wuerffel, Florida-Quarterback-1996 winner of NFF Campbell Trophy, Heisman, Walter Camp, Maxwell, and consecutive Davey O’Brien awards… Two-time SEC Player of the Year who led Gators to 1996 National Championship and four SEC championships.

Consensus All-America: Listed as a First Team All-America by at least half of the recognized publications.

Unanimous All-America:Listed as a First Team All-America by all recognized publications.

2013 COACH CANDIDATE CAPSULE BIOS

Jim Carlen-West Virginia (1966-69), Texas Tech (1970-74), South Carolina (1975-1981)-Led teams to eight bowl games and 13 winning seasons in 16 years as head coach…1973 National Coach of the Year…Three-time Southwest Conference Coach of the Year… Coached Heisman Trophy winner George Rogers at South Carolina.

Wayne Hardin-Navy (1959-64), Temple (1970-82)-Led Navy to a No. 2 ranking in 1963 and Temple to a No. 17 ranking in 1979…Ranks third in wins (38) all-time at Navy and beat Army in five of six seasons…Temple’s all-time leader in wins (80), he led them to their only 10-win season and the Garden State Bowl in 1979.
Bill McCartney-Colorado (1982-94)-Led Buffs to 1990 National Championship and three Big Eight Conference titles…Three-time Big Eight Coach of the Year and 1989 National Coach of the Year…Helped CU to nine bowl games in 13 seasons…Coached 18 First Team All-America players, including Heisman Trophy winner Rashaan Salaam.
Billy Jack Murphy-Memphis (1958-71)-All-time winningest coach in Memphis history…Had 11 winning seasons and retired as the 15th winningest coach in the nation…Member of the Memphis Hall of Fame and Mississippi State Hall of Fame.
Darryl Rogers-Cal State-Hayward (1965), Fresno State (1966-72), San Jose State (1973-75), Michigan State (1976-79), Arizona State (1980-84)-Took Fresno State to two bowl games. Achieved an unprecedented national ranking at San Jose State…Was Big Ten Coach of the Year in 1977 and National Coach of the Year by Sporting News in 1978…Won the Big Ten title in 1978.

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